Proposal to add international passenger ship reception function to Cai Mep - Thi Vai port

The Vietnam Maritime Administration has proposed that the Ministry of Construction continue to allow the pilot reception of international passenger ships at some ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area (HCMC) from now until the end of the year, in addition to proposing additional functions.

Ho Chi Minh City is entering the peak cruise tourism season, and exploitation plans are usually made at least three years in advance. - Photo: HL

Regarding the reception of passenger ships at some ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area (HCMC), the Vietnam Maritime Administration and Waterways has just sent a report to the Ministry of Construction , proposing to continue to allow the pilot reception of international passenger ships in this area until December 31, 2025, in order to maintain the international sea tourism transport route to HCMC.

According to the Vietnam Maritime Administration, the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area currently has many ports that meet the requirements of receiving large international passenger ships, including Thi Vai general port, Thi Vai international port, TCTT port, SSIT, TCIT, PTSC Phu My, SP-PSA and SITV.

Since 2018, these ports have safely received 277 large international passenger ships, with a total capacity of 168,666 GT.

However, in terms of planning, the ports in this area have not yet been officially added with passenger ship exploitation functions .

To remove obstacles and meet the needs of international shipping lines, the Maritime Administration proposed that the Ministry of Construction direct relevant agencies to review and adjust Planning the international passenger ship capacity for a number of ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area, creating a legal basis for official exploitation in the coming time.

This agency said that the pilot program to welcome passenger ships at Cai Mep - Thi Vai in recent times has brought about clear results, not only promoting the development of sea tourism but also affirming the capacity of Vietnam's maritime infrastructure in welcoming large passenger ships in the world.

Previously, according to the planning for the development of Vietnam's seaport system until 2030, with a vision to 2050, Cai Mep - Thi Vai port area was planned to have 24 ports, mainly serving general cargo, containers, bulk cargo, liquid/gas cargo... and only one port was oriented to operate international passenger ships, Vung Tau international passenger port , which has not yet been invested in and built.

The Vietnam Maritime and Waterways Administration believes that maintaining the pilot program to welcome international passenger ships at Cai Mep - Thi Vai not only meets the practical needs of international shipping lines and tourism businesses , but also helps Vietnam take advantage of opportunities to attract investment in maritime tourism infrastructure and connect international passenger transport to Ho Chi Minh City.

On the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism also proposed a pilot program to receive international passenger ships in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area until the end of December 2026. The pilot period will help units have more basis to complete procedures for adding functions according to legal regulations, and at the same time support management agencies to evaluate the practice and prepare for the official operation phase.

The proposal to facilitate support for travel businesses in organizing the pick-up and drop-off of international tourists at ports in the Cai Mep - Thi Vai area by the authorities was made when in recent days, many businesses were worried that they would have to suddenly stop receiving passenger ships, seriously affecting their operating plans.

A representative of Saigontourist Group said that according to the schedule announced on October 18, the company will continue to organize the arrival of Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas ship carrying more than 4,000 international tourists. However, because Cai Mep - Thi Vai port does not accept passenger ships, the ship will have to change to Chan May port in Hue.

According to the scheduled itinerary, after stopping at Cai Mep - Thi Vai port, tourists on the Ovation of the Seas will be taken to visit some famous landmarks in Ho Chi Minh City such as Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Cu Chi tunnels... as well as experience life and some specialties in Saigon ward, Binh Duong ward...

"We had to notify suppliers of the cancellation close to the train's arrival time, causing huge losses," he said.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/de-xuat-bo-sung-cong-nang-don-tau-khach-quoc-te-cho-cang-cai-mep-thi-vai-20251017163818383.htm